The Transition of Care From Pediatric to Adult Health-Care Services of Vertically HIV-Infected Adolescents: A Pilot Study

Frontiers in Pediatrics

article

Grazia Isabella Continisio¹  Eugenia Bruzzese¹  Andrea Lo Vecchio¹  Francesca Wanda Basile¹  Carla Russo¹  Maria Rosaria Cotugno²  Giulia Palmiero²  Cinzia Storace¹  Carmela Mango¹  Alfredo Guarino¹ 

[1] Section of Pediatrics, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II;Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II

关键词: HIV;    adolescents;    transition;    biopsychosocial approach;    well-being;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fped.2020.00322

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

Objective: Clinical and psychological HIV-related problems peak during adolescence, which coincides with transition of children and adolescents infected from mothers from pediatric to adult reference centers for HIV infection. Transition often is done without specific programs. We wanted to explore transition as an opportunity to increase the efficacy of care and the psychological well-being through a specific program. Methods: Thirteen vertically infected patients aged 13–20 years were followed up for 24 months by pediatricians, infectious disease specialists, a psychologist, and a nurse. Interventions consisted in joint clinic, simplification of therapy, patient group discussions, HIV infection explanations, and psychological support, lasting 12 months. Efficacy was measured by viro-immunological outcomes and adherence to therapy and psychological tests. Clinical, viro-immunological, and psychological evaluations were performed at 0 (T0) and 12 months (T12) and 6 months after transition to an adult center (T18). Psychological outcomes were assessed using standardized questionnaires for quality of life and self-esteem. Results: In 11/13 participants, pills administrations/day were significantly reduced. Patients with undetectable viral load and CD4+ >25% increased from 61 to 77% and from 61 to 74%, respectively. Six months after transition, all patients exhibited an undetectable viral load. Adolescents' awareness of the severity of the disease and the risk of sexual transmission was generally poor. Patients classified with “severe” psychological distress according to the quality of life index decreased from 38 to 15% and well-being increased. Similar results were observed 6 months after the transition to adult care. No effect was observed on self-esteem index. Conclusions: Specific protocols for transition should be developed to optimize resilience and psychological well-being, including routine psychological support for adolescents with HIV infection transiting from pediatric to adult centers for HIV infection.

【 授权许可】

CC BY